Ducati and Oakley renew partnership

Jul 20, 2007

Oakley today announced it has renewed its licensing agreement with Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Borsa Italiana: DMH) for an additional three years. Established in 2003, the partnership has yielded a historic collection of eyewear that exemplifies both companies passion for technology, innovation, and design. New for 2007 is a signature edition Ducati OIL DRUM®, a salute to the world championship career of Ducati racer Loris Capirossi.

"Our partnership with Ducati has achieved tremendous success with past product offerings, and we are excited to extend the ongoing alliance," said Colin Baden, president of Oakley, Inc. "Our two companies share a lineage of aggressive design and innovation, as well as a drive to explore unconventional roads of thinking. Ducati motorcycles have more single race victories than all other competitors combined, and we are honored to carry their emblem and colors on exclusive optical inventions that turn science into art."

"Oakley continually raises the bar for performance eyewear and the company's innovative designs continue to be the favorite of Ducati racers," commented Gabriele Del Torchio, chief executive officer of Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. "Oakley is a dynamic and compelling brand that succeeds by combining the very best technologies and designs, and their ideals of excellence reflect the same uncompromising standards of Ducati engineering and design. We embrace this opportunity to build on our partnership and enrich Ducati's global network with additional products that salute the best of both companies."

The Loris Capirossi signature edition Ducati OIL DRUM® features Ducati colors graphics and ear stems with the racer's emblem and competition number. This unique eyewear design is crafted from durable, lightweight O Matter® frame material with the styling of hard-edge lines. Ultraviolet light-stopping Plutonite® lenses open peripheral view with an 8.75 base lens curvature and the clarity of XYZ Optics®, one of the patented innovations of Oakley's proprietary High Definition Optics® (HDO®). The Ducati logo is laser etched near the bottom edge of the left lens. For more information on the Loris Capirossi signature edition Ducati OIL DRUM® please visit http://oakley.com/pd/4807.

Special editions in the signature eyewear line also include Ducati FIVES® 3.0, Ducati GASCAN®, Ducati JULIET®, Ducati MONSTER DOG™, and the Ducati SQUARE WIRE® . Rendered with color schemes and graphic treatments consistent with Ducati products, the frames are authenticated with the emblem found on some of the worldâ's fastest motorcycles, and laser etching on the lens signs each piece with the Ducati trademark.

Also announced is a special edition Ducati MX CROWBAR™ goggle which is planned for an autumn release. The goggle will honor Ducati's new HYPERMOTARD™ bike, one of the most aggressive and exciting new sport motorcycles in the world of motorsports.

These products are available through Oakley's sunglass distribution points around the globe, and at exclusive Ducati Stores and dealerships in Ducati's distribution network.

About DucatiFounded in 1926, Ducati builds racing-inspired motorcycles characterized by unique engine features, innovative design, advanced engineering and overall technical excellence. The Company produces motorcycles in market segments which vary in their technical and design features and intended customers: Superbike, Monster, Multistrada, SportClassic, Sport Touring and the new Hypermotard. The Company's motorcycles are sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, with a primary focus in the Western European, Japan and North American markets. Ducati has won fourteen of the last sixteen World Superbike Championship titles and more individual victories than the competition put together. Since 2003 Ducati has also been taking part in the MotoGP World Championship. This year it is currently in first place in the series. For more information about the Company, please visit our web site at http://www.ducati.com.

About OakleyOakley is a global leader in sport performance optics including premium sunglasses, goggles and prescription eyewear. Headquartered in Southern California, the company's optics brand portfolio includes Dragon, Eye Safety Systems, Fox Racing, Mosley Tribes, Oliver Peoples and Paul Smith Spectacles. In addition to its global wholesale business, the company operates retail chains including Bright Eyes, Oakley Stores, Sunglass Icon and The Optical Shop of Aspen. The company also offers a wide selection of Oakley-branded apparel, footwear, watches and accessories. Additional information is available at www.oakley.com.

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